The living quarters in Semi Trucks were never designed to be cooked in. They are small spaces with very little ventilation designed for a small amount of work, recreation and sleeping. In the past the nations truck stops have provided truckers for all their other needs including bathrooms, showers and food, however with rising costs and a lack of healthy food many truckers have opted to make the best of their own small space. There are many different option for cooking in a semi truck. The best option for each driver is dependent on the budget, mechanical and technical knowledge and how much space that he or she wishes to sacrifice for the kitchen.

Essential Appliances

APU/ Generator: Nothing can be cooked without one providing power.

Inverter: Trucks may come with them during the sale or leasing process (they usually do these days). They can also be easily replaced with higher wattage inverters if the current inverter does not have the drivers desired wattage. Here's some things to take into account:

-The total wattage of all appliances and devices being used within the truck.-The start-up surges on the devices (refrigerators and microwaves)-The amount of drain the alternator can handle before the truck won't start.

Power Strips: I recommend the really long ones from Home Depot that allow multiple devices to be plugged in. A power surge protector may not be a bad idea either. These can be left loose or bolted in to the side of the cabinet.

Optional Appliances

12v cigarette lighter plug-in water jug: For those who really looooove noodles and coffee! (Does not require an inverter or generator) Click here for Recipes!

12v Cooler/ Chilly Bin: If you don't have room or the know how to install a fridge, these are a great little item. They keep small amounts of food and drink cool. However, you need to take note that they don't work very well in extreme heat. You will need to supplement it with a little ice. (Does not require an inverter or generator)

12v saucepans/ ovens: I have not tested these, but if they are still sold they must work. (Does not require an inverter or generator)

Propane Grills, Stoves, Saucepans: Propane grills are great for truckers. They are cheap running just under $100 depending on where you purchase your grill from and what type you want. The refill canisters are pretty cheap running around $25 a piece and give a decent amount of grill time per cannister. They can be stored in a tool box or in the truck. They cannot be used on the move. (Does not require an inverter or generator)

Toaster: For Toast, english muffins, pop tarts, etc. Turn on the side and bake a pizza. Requires: Inverter and power strip.Skillet or Foreman Grill: These are actually safe to keep on the truck, provided that you are careful. You will need to use a full size cutting board underneath as a protector. There are also "no-heat" grills, but I have not tested those. Requires: Inverter and power Strips.Waffle Iron: Regardless of what it is called this IS a miniature grill and great for the truck. Cook bacon in this, make potato cakes, make grilled (and crushed sandwiches), fry an egg or just bake waffles. The waffle iron is a space saver which requires very little power and gives a real punch to the truckers meal. Requires: inverter and power strip. For more waffle recipe ideas check out Rachel Rays website: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipe_collections/17313_Waffle_Week_2014/index.html?page=OQ==Microwave: These can be installed with the use of industrial strength vel-cro in one of the cabinets or on top of the top bunk. They can also be bolted on top of a refrigerator. Store plate wrapped in a towel or blanket or under the mattress. Recomended: 800 - 1100 watts.

Convection Oven:For the slightly more daring. A small convection oven can be safely placed and run on a top bunk (with the matress removed). Can be used while the truck is moving provided a space is cleared around it, however most of the recipes will need to be cooked while the truck is not moving because of the amount of liquid. Please note: This will require a fully upgraded inverter and APU with power strips.

Refrigerator: This can be an expensive item. They can be purchased and installed through various locations now, but the best bang for your buck if you have a little technical know how, is to purchase a small fridge/freezer through Home Depot and Bolt it into the wall of the truck. I have posted photos of how we have our fridge.

Our fridge is sitting on a smaller cabinet with a piece of wood bolted to the cabinet. My husband drilled holes in the sides of the fridge and used a rivet gun to attach metal plates to the side. The metal plates are then attached with a bolt to a hinge bolted into the wall.

Please note: This will require a fully upgraded inverter and APU with power strips.

Other Useful Tools & Tricks

Wooden Cutting BoardThis is a multi use item and a must have. It will be your kitchen counter, the base for your oven, grill or frying pan, what you put your hot plate on. It can also be used as a lap desk for writing, a table for dinner or something to sit your laptop on.You will also see that I have placed it on the slide out desk in the truck. The average full size cutting board slides neatly into this space and it becomes a great workspace. You can also use it on the bed.In the desk cavity which is designed to hold pens I keep my knives. A small pearing knife which is easy to clean and a thin serrated one.

Plastic CutleryFor the longest time I insisted on using metal cutlery, cleaning it and
re-using it, but out on the road that is just not practical. I have lost
so many good knives, forks and spoons. They fall out of bags, get left
in the shower rooms by accident, fall down the side of the bed and/or
out the door. I started using plastic cutlery a number of years ago and
have never gone back.

Microwave Bacon PlateCan be purchased from Walmart. Great for everything from cooking bacon to cooking pizzas.

Microwave Rice CookerCan also be purchased from Walmart. Cuts the cooking time of rice in the microwave down to 12-15 mins.

Use Aluminum foil to turn a spatula into a saucepan (BBQ)

The Milk/Soup Substitution

If you have no access to a fridge or cooler and you need to cook something requiring milk, you can substitute it with a small can of condensed cream of something soup (chicken, mushroom, onion, asparagus).

The Potato Flake Thickener

Keep a box of potato flakes on the truck. You can thicken soups, stews and pasta sauce with these and they improve on the flavor.

Omelet in a Bag

The Truth about some Refrigerated Items

I want you to think back a long time ago. Back to the old days before refrigeration. Butter was made once a week and often left out on the counter until it was finished. Cheese was never refrigerated - just left wrapped up and used when needed. Nothing has changed, but out perception of this items and the labels on them. You can keep certain hard cheeses such as parmesian in the truck without refrigerating them. The same goes for butter. In fact I would even go as far as saying that butter tastes better when it has been sitting unrefrigerated.

Potato Chips as Seasoning

Potato chips are incredibly versatile. You can eat them plain, you can put them on a burger for some more crunch and flavor and you can even crush them up and use them as seasoning. In the same way you can use them to help thicken a stew.

Milk Alternatives

There are a couple of different types of milk alternatives available for storage on your truck if you don't have access to a fridge.To your left is the kind of milk I grew up with in Tonga. You can store it for long periods, but once opened, it needs to be used or refrigerated. There are also smaller packages of the same types that are available.Milk powder is another option available.